Hundreds of recipients will continue to lose protected status each day without DACA protection

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2017 -

Today Congress adjourned for the
holidays without taking action to find a permanent legislative solution for our
nation’s Dreamers.

NEA President Lily Eskelsen
García issued the following statement:

“Members of Congress merrily
left to enjoy the holidays without taking action to protect Dreamers, only
heightening immeasurable uncertainty for the Dreamers themselves, their
families, our students, our economy, and communities across our country. This
issue actually has bipartisan support, and not acting on it is beyond
disappointing—it is immoral and unjust. It is cruel. It is wrong.

“Since the Trump administration’s
heartless decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
program (DACA), the consequences of inaction have hurt real people. To date, more than 13,000 children and young adults have already lost their status and more than 100 DACA
recipients continue to lose protected status with each passing day.
As Congress chooses to do nothing, the lives and livelihoods
of Dreamers are threatened – including those of the more
than 20,000 DACA recipient educators in our classrooms. When DACA
educators lose protected status, they lose their work permits,
meaning they will no longer be able to teach our students.

“We urge Congressional leaders to reach across the aisle to find a permanent solution for our Dreamers.

“We are not going away. Congress must put aside any partisan differences and make passage of the Dream Act a true
priority when it returns in January. This is what the American people demand and
expect from their political leaders. It’s time for Congress to
deliver to our educators, our students, and our communities.”

The National Education Association is the nation’s
largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million
elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support
professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing
to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org

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